(eng) Morgan Rice - Of Crowns and Glory 06 by Hero Traitor Daughter

Author:Hero, Traitor, Daughter [Hero, Traitor, Daughter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The others on his flagship braced against whatever they could grab while they rammed the enemy’s galley, but Irrien remained impassive in his throne. He would not let others see him clinging to the mast like some weakling. He was strong, and in moments, he would be victorious.

He had a moment to savor the way he’d drawn in his enemy. This foe had been a cunning one, worrying at the edges of his fleet the way wolves hounded the edges of a herd. He’d forgotten, though, that Irrien was not some deer or cattle to be brought down. He was a fighting man, well used to such tactics. The folk of the dust had fought that way for years.

Irrien had been patient. He’d let his enemy’s confidence grow. Then he’d left his opening. Now he smiled. He enjoyed the moment when he outthought an enemy. When it came to the politics of the city, he loved watching their faces when they realized that some plot had failed. He loved watching their hope fade.

There was a place for all of that, but there was a place for violence too. For proving yourself the stronger, the deadlier, the more able. Irrien drew his sword and waited.

The impact of the collision was like the shaking of a mountain, making the boards beneath Irrien’s feet rumble and knocking some of his slaves sprawling. His flagship plunged into the galley like a sword through the side of a foe, then held to it, as tightly as a lover. It would need to pull back soon so that the weight of the ruined vessel didn’t drag them all down, but for now, there was killing to be done.

“Attack!” Irrien ordered, and the violence began.

He watched arrows rain down, from his men and those of the enemy who hadn’t been knocked down. He saw a spear flung between the ships, thrown by one of his crew who fancied himself an expert with it. Irrien snorted. An expert did not throw away his weapon.

He stayed seated as the first warriors leapt between the two ships. There were those who leapt from the enemy galley: rats leaving their sinking ship or brave men eager to take the fight to an enemy. He saw a sailor leap with a long knife clutched in one hand, grabbing onto the rigging of Irrien’s ship as he sought to leave his stricken vessel. He saw a warrior wearing mail leap across the gap between the two only to be pushed back, tumbling down into the water below.

“Fool,” Irrien said softly. The word was quickly lost in the sounds of the battle.

His own men leapt onto the enemy ship, using lines and hooks to pull it close enough to make the leap. There were always those who sought to impress Irrien with their bravery and their eagerness. Irrien even encouraged them, offering coin and better spoil shares to those who were the first to scale walls or board ships. He did it because

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